Are you willing to die for your faith? - Daily Reflections July 11,2015

FOR WHOM DO WE LIVE?   The words of Jesus reverberate to heroes and tyrants, good and bad, and to the holies and evils: “And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna” (verse 28). Jesus Himself proved these words in His life. He died on the cross with His enemies, thinking that His death will end everything He was fighting for. Little did they know that it would be the beginning of a movement, of a religion, and of a faith that will influence humankind for all time.        It also happened to Ninoy Aquino. Then President Marcos and his advisers thought that killing Ninoy would radically weaken and defeat his cause. But they were wrong. The death of Ninoy propelled and enkindled his cause all the more. The rest is history. Marcos was deposed and Cory Aquino, Ninoy’s widow, took over the presidency. With due respect to those who do not believe in Ninoy or those who sympathize with Marcos, the point is that causes, principles or spirits can never be stopped by killing its messenger. Prophets, during Old Testament times, had testified so many times to these situations. The message lives on and even propagates.        The action of martyrs may be understood in this context. Their faith in God is foremost. They knew that unfaithfulness would render their lives empty and wasted. Their life is God. Their life is their faith. They had come to a point when they could not live life fully without faith. They believe that the fullness of life is in living or dying for what they believe. As St. Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila said, “I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly do accept death for the Lord; if I had a thousand lives, all these I shall offer to Him.”        This should inspire us to continue witnessing to our faith. Martyrdom is a grace. It does not merit everyone, but when it comes, we should be willing to go through it. Definitely, God will grant us the grace to accept it. Let us pray that we may have the will to fulfill God’s will for us. Fr. Benny Tuazon   REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you willing to die for your faith?   Grant me the grace, Lord, to be ready to defend my faith and to die for it when necessary.